On March 14th THINKING-BIG travelled to AMS – Associação Mata Sustentável, in Vouzela (Portugal), accepting an invitation to develop a workshop on Positive Education and Creativity.

Here is a review of the day and its results in a text written by the participant Lara Alves:

“The place, in perfect symbiosis with nature, was without doubt an enhancer of the individual and collective work that was done, since the energy of the place was not only contagious but also almost palpable.

I will not be able to impartially and factually summarize the 8 hours of our day, but I will try to leave some of the main ideas we worked in as a group.

After breaking the initial ice among participants, Edite tried to lead us to a game of self and hetero-knowledge, simultaneously. Here, I soon realized the importance of SEEING and BEING SEEN / GIVING and RECEIVING. This recognition of the self and of the others led us to VULNERABILITY, which I describe as a type of complete absence of prejudice. That said, the path was open for the learning in itself and we established our GENERAL GOALS, starting from and analyzing everybody’s EXPECTATIONS. Once the objective was settled, our path became clearer and we became more FOCUSED and objective. We analyzed the tools and TECHNIQUES of Positive Education, from which I would highlight the ones that are dearest to me: encouragement, gratitude, recognition, and, of course, the positive language, creative and clear (be it mental, verbal or physical). I found it equally relevant to be aware of the contours and effects of an education in the opposite way, destructive and not focused on objectives. We addressed the need to avoid reaching a point of frustration, negativity and stagnation. For that to happen, nothing better than to recognize our STRENGTHS.

Today, I’m much more aware of what is the real power of the process of positive education. “I SEE ME & I SEE YOU”: this is one of the most valuable lessons I bring with me.

I also became aware that positive learning is something that is (or should be) present in each one of us, every day, in all areas. I’m responsible for spreading this message to each person I come across, but I’m also responsible for my own learning. I want to evolve upwards and take with me everyone who embraces this message and have an open mind to progress for the better, even if it takes us – all of us – out of our comfort zone. I became aware of my role as an educator but also of my role as an apprentice.

A big thanks to all participants for the generosity with which all was shared. Thank you, Edite, for the passion and simplicity. Thanks to each and every one of us for having given the BEST OF US!